View Full Version : Pet Hates........or FFS
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Yeah, I used to sell to customers a lot round there, when I was running the business.
It's not just the roundabouts, it's trying to find people's addresses, when you go into those mad housing estates, which are full of never-ending pathways you can't drive into, so you have to park your car miles away, then walk miles to the house you want, and then on the way back (especially at night) getting completely lost and forgetting where you'd parked your car!:doh:
I absolutely DETEST new towns, not just for that reason, but because they're so dull and utterly SOULLESS. Cumbernauld is the same. A big grey, depressing 'prison'....:rolleyes:
Marco.
yeah, old cumbernaud; the first bit is ghastly, or was... might be better now. livie is much nicer although i prefer proper towns too that just grew naturally
Firebottle
12-10-2018, 08:48
Trust me, the Parisian drivers are just NUTS!!:mental:Marco.
Ha ha, la comedie.
Not just the Parisians though they are probably the worst. About 50% of cars that we saw in our time in France had a dent somewhere.
It was amusing to try and imagine how some of the dents were acquired as some were in the strangest of places. We came up with a term - a French dent.
:lol:
walpurgis
12-10-2018, 08:54
You should try driving around here in 'Little India'. I've never seen so many bloody useless drivers anywhere else.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 08:54
They call EK Polo Mint city, mate;)
There are quite a few roundabouts too here in Wrexham. They don't phase me at all, as I'm not a nervous driver, even the more complicated ones shown in the picture. As long as you remember the rules, and stick to them and take your time, whilst watching out for the bumbling idiots who haven't a clue, you'll be fine:)
The most 'interesting' roundabout experience I've had was when driving in Paris and unfortunately hitting the Arc de Triomphe at rush hour!:eek:
Trust me, the Parisian drivers are just NUTS!!:mental:
https://youtu.be/-2RCPpdmSVg
All for one, and one for all! CHARGGGE!!!!
:D:D
Marco.
Good advice that, remember the rules, stick to them, take your time - none of which applies when running the Arc de Triomphe gauntlet. We had the pleasure of that one a few years ago (with Mrs. P driving, nothing phases her), and the only rule seemed to be 'if you hit something, keep going'. Worst offenders were these riders of weird scooters with two wheels on the front - they're everywhere and come out of nowhere.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 09:09
You should try driving around here in 'Little India'. I've never seen so many bloody useless drivers anywhere else.
If that's what it sounds like, we have a similar part of Preston which you would do well to avoid if you've got a nice shiny new car. Curiously, it is home to probably the highest concentration of prestige cars in the whole city. If I lived round there I'd probably walk everywhere, or drive something so battered it looks like a Beirut taxi.
Good advice that, remember the rules, stick to them, take your time - none of which applies when running the Arc de Triomphe gauntlet. We had the pleasure of that one a few years ago (with Mrs. P driving, nothing phases her), and the only rule seemed to be 'if you hit something, keep going'. Worst offenders were these riders of weird scooters with two wheels on the front - they're everywhere and come out of nowhere.
Lol yeah, I'm talking about in the UK, such as on that somewhat intricate roundabout, a picture of which was posted earlier, and that was claimed to be in Swindon.
The problem here on roundabouts is that too many folks have forgotten their highway code, or are too lazy to put it into practice, mixed with too many ditherers, who hesitate on the approach to roundabouts, as if they've encountered some 'strange entity' they simply don't know how to negotiate!:doh:
So they sit there, and sit there and SIT THERE, when they could've moved forward and gone an hour ago [I'm exaggerating a little, but you get the point], until there's no traffic coming for miles, and then EVENTUALLY SHIFT their reticent backsides!:rolleyes:
I really can't abide ditherers. If you don't have the *confidence* to drive competently and decisively, stay off the bloody roads, because you're just a HAZARD to everyone else!!
<Rant over>;)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 09:21
Both me and Anita are pretty confident drivers, but on journeys she drives 90% of the time - I like to just sit there and take in the scenery, while she likes to be 'in charge'. If I drive she just spends much of her time texting or playing Candy Crush, which seems like a waste of a good pair of eyes to me.
Lol... Don't you TALK to each other, and engage in intelligent conversation, or perhaps listen to some nice music? Or is that unfashionable;)
If Del sat there, texting on her phone like that, whilst ignoring me, I'd be pretty annoyed (as it's rude), and vice versa - although that would be extremely unlikely, as I have next to no interest in mobile phones!:eyebrows:
What the fook is Candy Crush?
Marco [last sent a text on his 10-year old, gas-powered mobile, about a year ago].
Ha ha, la comedie.
Not just the Parisians though they are probably the worst. About 50% of cars that we saw in our time in France had a dent somewhere.
It was amusing to try and imagine how some of the dents were acquired as some were in the strangest of places. We came up with a term - a French dent.
:lol:
Ha - Italians are the same, mate - possibly worse, as they combine ridiculous speed with sheer recklessness!!:eek::mental:
But the French are certainly among the best for treating their cars simply as 'tin cans', to get from A to B. They don't wash or clean them EVER, and like you say, treat dents as perverse 'badges of honour'!:D
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 09:37
Lol... Don't you TALK to each other, and engage in some intelligent conversation, or perhaps listen to music?;)
If Del sat there, texting on her phone like that. whilst ignoring me, I'd be pretty annoyed, and likewise if it were the other way round - although that would be extremely unlikely, as I have next to no interest in mobile phones!
What the fook is Candy Crush?
Marco [last sent a text on his 10-year old mobile, about a year ago].
Who's that knocking on the door Marco? It's the 21st century and it wants a word with you. :D
We do talk on journeys, but not all the time, that would just get on me wick. And we are close enough to be capable of having periods of 'comfortable silence'. There is no one I'd rather go on journeys with, and I know she feels the same. :)
Perhaps you are someone who has to comment on EVERYTHING that passes your field of vision, or EVERYTHING that comes into your head, but that wouldn't do for us. :ner:
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 09:44
Actually the 21st century had a word with me too. It said: "yer havin' a dig at Marco, but at least he knows how tae post pictures, daftee!' He sounded like Duncan Bannatyne so I knew he meant business. :D
Who's that knocking on the door Marco? It's the 21st century and it wants a word with you...
Tee-hee... I know, I'll have to FORCE myself into buying a smartphone soon, simply to stream music to the head unit in the car. I would DEFO use it for that. *BUT*, I refuse to buy an iPhone, and be like all the other sheep, so it'll have to be something a little more 'left-field', and also stylish...
So I was thinking of the Sony Experia (as I'm somewhat of a Sony fanboy): https://www.sonymobile.com/gb/products/phones/xperia-xz-premium/#gref
I'd be open to suggestions though, but it *must* be stylish/different and something not owned by every Tom, Dick or Harry!
We do talk on journeys, but not all the time, that would just get on me wick. And we are close enough to be capable of having periods of 'comfortable silence'. There is no one I'd rather go on journeys with, and I know she feels the same.
Yeah, I know what you mean, we're the same. Just yankin' yer chain. The main difference would be, on long journeys, Del's more likely to be asleep!:D Like her, I'm terrible for falling asleep, as a passenger in cars. In fact, I hate it when I'm not 'at the helm', as it were.
I enjoy driving too much, and so as a passenger, get bored just sitting there:)
Marco.
iphone is still best, although not tried the latest ones. a lot of good chinese ones now.. oppo are one of the world leaders
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 10:16
I see one advertised on TV, can't spell the name, but it sounds like 'Who are we'. Supposed to be brilliant (for a phone) for photography. That could be a 'left field' choice.
iphone is still best, although not tried the latest ones. a lot of good chinese ones now.. oppo are one of the world leaders
Better than the Sony I linked to? In what way?:)
Not sure I'd want anything Chinese, but I don't know enough about it. As ever with these things, I'll do lots of research and read loads of reviews on different phones, and then take a punt on what I think will suit me best.
What I like about the Sony, for example, is the 4K HDR display and the superb camera, and claimed good sound quality. I'm far more likely to enjoy (and use) those features than any stupid apps or facilities for connecting to social media, as quite simply, those would *never* be used!
Also, how good it is as a PHONE itself, in terms of receiving/retaining a good signal in difficult areas (the sound of the speaker, both sending and receiving - does it make voices sound horribly tinny?), battery life [I'd want it to hold its charge for as long as possible], and then things like how intuitive the user interface is, especially the keyboard, for someone with big fingers used to typing on a proper keyboard - that kind of thing...:cool:
Marco.
Ive had a few.. a sony, a samsung, a motorola etc, but the iphone i have(its an old model) still works perfectly since new and battery still comes up in a test ap as well over 90% efficient. sound is good etc, but I agree they are not for everyone, and if your not into apple products then it may not make sense. My Bro was a ludite, but he eventually got an iphone too and now an ipad. ...won over just a bit i think.
I've got nothing against using Apple products (after all I'm currently typing on a Mac, and love it), and I also really like the Apple desktop PCs - so stylish! But it's different with computers, as Apple isn't the most common choice in that area - far more folk use mass-market Windows machines.
Therefore, owning a Mac makes me feel a little 'different, as it's the more uncommon choice. However, it's the opposite with phones, as the majority of folk use an iPhone (or something from Samsung), so being one of the 'sheep' like that, and embracing the common choice, would bother me!
You probably think I'm daft, but that's just the way I am: I've GOT to have something bespoke or a little different from the norm, as you see is the same with all my other choices (car, hi-fi, even house, lol).
Btw, I'm no luddite; I'm just someone who doesn't automatically embrace technology because it's the 'done thing' or trendy. I'll ONLY do it *if* it'll unquestionably enhance my lifestyle, which is why I've so far resisted buying a smartphone, as up until now I've had no real need for one.
Marco.
im a bit like that too tbh, but when the product is right, it right. the sonys are good too but android isnt as good imv to ios. more folk use android by far
Ah, so the Sony is an Android device... Not that it matters, as I've no idea what that means!:lol: Or the difference between it and ios (whatever that is) :confused:
However, using a 'common as muck' operating system wouldn't bother me, as long as the phone itself was a bit different from the norm!:eyebrows:
However.... the operating system would matter very much if one was (for me) more intuitive to use/technically superior/better supported/more suitable for my needs, than the other.
Marco.
I've got a brand new Sony Experia here still sat in the box if you want to work something out.
Got it to replace my old one but that is still going strong after 5 years so never bothered unwrapping the new one.
aye they are operating systems. ios is apple and android is google, but used in most other phones. the different makers just add their own bloatware to them which can really screw with the phone. also ios is more secure imo. apple are pretty security consious especially with apps. just what you fancy tho.
I've got a brand new Sony Experia here still sat in the box if you want to work something out.
Got it to replace my old one but that is still going strong after 5 years so never bothered unwrapping the new one.
Nice one, mate. I'll mull that over. Just sorting out a few more things with the car's sound system first!:)
Marco.
aye they are operating systems. ios is apple and android is google, but used in most other phones. the different makers just add their own bloatware to them which can really screw with the phone. also ios is more secure imo. apple are pretty security consious especially with apps. just what you fancy tho.
Can you get something to block all that pish, and ads you don't want? You see, that's what I *detest* about some forms of technology: the controlling and invasive nature of it, as quite simply, 'they' [and we won't get into that here] simply want to spy on you, for their nefarious gain.....
Aside from that, the first thing I'd do is take the phone into a specialist and get them to remove all the crap, apps etc, I have no need for, in order to free up memory space and (hopefully) make things faster/more reliable. After all, these things aren't really 'phones', they're essentially small personal computers!
Marco.
Not really ads... its apps they add to the os..most of which you cant delete. Put me off android tbh. Probably will be a phone where you just get pure android, which is a very good os. Dont know where tho, folk used to root there phones but thats a bit drastic.
Need to ask someone better in the know.
I use my phone a lot, although not so much for calls. Lol
Lol... Ok, noted.
The important thing is that, much like everything else I own, the phone exists solely for MY benefit (and pleasure), not for the benefit of 'Big Brother', if you get me?;)
Marco.
Beobloke
12-10-2018, 12:00
I've got nothing against using Apple products (after all I'm currently typing on a Mac, and love it), and I also really like the Apple desktop PCs - so stylish! But it's different with computers, as Apple isn't the most common choice in that area - far more folk use mass-market Windows machines.
Therefore, owning a Mac makes me feel a little 'different, as it's the more uncommon choice. However, it's the opposite with phones, as the majority of folk use an iPhone (or something from Samsung), so being one of the 'sheep' like that, and embracing the common choice, would bother me!
You probably think I'm daft, but that's just the way I am: I've GOT to have something bespoke or a little different from the norm, as you see is the same with all my other choices (car, hi-fi, even house, lol).
Btw, I'm no luddite; I'm just someone who doesn't automatically embrace technology because it's the 'done thing' or trendy. I'll ONLY do it *if* it'll unquestionably enhance my lifestyle, which is why I've so far resisted buying a smartphone, as up until now I've had no real need for one.
Marco.
Personally, I really don't care whether I go "with the herd" or "against the herd", because often, going against the herd can be a worse method of point scoring and showing off! I make up my own mind based on my own criteria and needs and, whether this tallies with majority or not, I really don't care.
Now, I am no fan of Apple generally and I detest Macs particularly, but I wouldnt be without my iPhone. I've tried Samsungs, Sonys, LGs and some posh thing covered with fake crystals and I found all of them to be inferior. The iPhone just gets on with the job and does what I require of it.
I think, therefore, what I'm trying to say, is don't dismiss what might be the best option just because of a misguided need to not be a 'sheep'. Sometimes, something is popular for a good reason - because it's the best at what it does!
Sure, I completely agree. It would just go rather against the grain!:eyebrows:
The ideal scenario would be something that's "best at what it does" [for me], and doesn't represent the common choice.
It's not about showing off or points scoring, but rather being *fiercely individual*, and remaining a free-thinker (to the death), rather than subconsciously/subliminally controlled by 'the system'.
You might not think that's what's happening, when it seems like it's YOU who's made the choice on something, but in fact you've been a victim of subliminal advertising/mind control...;)
You might laugh at stuff like that, but trust me one day it'll all become very apparent!!
Marco [refuses simply to be a 'number', or controlled by anyone].
Beobloke
12-10-2018, 12:22
Believe me, I was determined to have ANYTHING but an iPhone when I first went for a smartphone. This lasted until about ten minutes after I tried one!
Fair enough. We'll see what happens. As ever with these things, it's not something I'll be rushing into. I'll need to do some in-depth research into the world of smartphones, and obtain all the info I need in order to make an informed and correct decision (for me):)
Marco.
Beobloke
12-10-2018, 12:48
Best way to do it!
If you only want it to make and receive the occasional phone call and connect to the car stereo it really doesn't matter a jot. Any 'phone on the market will do that perfectly well.
if you want to be one of these idiots glued to the thing all day, even whilst walking down the street, and you want to download all sorts of 'apps' and so forth then you might need to do a bit of research.
nearly killed one of those idiots yesterday, stepped into the street at a very busy junction, my driver had to take evasive action. When I looked back she was still staring at her telephone, she hadn't even noticed that she'd come inches from death or serious injury.
Ah yes, an iZombie!:eyebrows::doh:
You get an extra 500 bonus points, when you take out one of those useless fuckers...permanently;)
But yes, you're right. However, me being me, it'll still have to look 'sexy' and (preferably) be different from what's used by the masses. It's a matter of principle, dude.
Right - I'm off to have my lunch and watch a movie [see the Screening Today thread].....!
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 13:20
Like Grant, I favour iphones, and it's not a new one, it's a family member's cast-off. I pay about £13 a month for a sim-only contract. It's an iPhone 5 or 5s or something, I don't know. My last one was an Android powered something or other, and it did my head in. I find the iPhone more intuitive somehow. It's as though IOS works the same way as my brain, only much smarter. But Mrs. P prefers her Android Samsung.
My use doesn't even scratch the surface of what it'll do, and that's fine by me. All I want is calls, text, photos, what app, weather forecast, Shazam and sat nav.
Marco, if you want to be different, get your car audio man to make a bespoke MDF case for it, painted metallic black with a big silver Brabster 'B' on the back. I bet no one else will have that. :D
:lolsign:
You know me too well!:D
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 14:03
:lolsign:
You know me too well!:D
Marco.
I know, I can read you like a pamphlet! :ner:
One more thing about my iPhone: when I acquired it at the beginning of the year, Anita warned me about crap battery life, and true, it would go flat after a few hours. I took it into a phone shop where they replaced the battery for £25. Now it'll run for 2 days between charges, and I have it switched on ALL the time. Mind you I'm not one of these people who can't even go to the bog without it.
Having said that, the arse wipe app has been invaluable this last few weeks. :D
Like Grant, I favour iphones, and it's not a new one, it's a family member's cast-off. I pay about £13 a month for a sim-only contract. It's an iPhone 5 or 5s or something, I don't know. My last one was an Android powered something or other, and it did my head in. I find the iPhone more intuitive somehow. It's as though IOS works the same way as my brain, only much smarter. But Mrs. P prefers her Android Samsung.
My use doesn't even scratch the surface of what it'll do, and that's fine by me. All I want is calls, text, photos, what app, weather forecast, Shazam and sat nav.
Marco, if you want to be different, get your car audio man to make a bespoke MDF case for it, painted metallic black with a big silver Brabster 'B' on the back. I bet no one else will have that. :D
mine's a 5c with plastic white back plate. works fine and was my sons a long time ago. he said he didnt like it and got an android...now he wishes he had my iphone lol. works in conjunction with my ipad4 too.. i too have a sim only deal from virgin.. more than i could use every month.
Firebottle
12-10-2018, 16:05
Alcatel A3 XL, very plain, does the biz.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 16:26
My previous phone, made by Alba had a sat nav function that was so bad I once followed this dot on the screen (which was me) as it went round all these streets and into the next town, for about half an hour before I realised it wasn't taking me anywhere, it was just showing my current position on the screen, and if it wasn't for my superior intelligence I would still be following that little dot round the country. :(
You'd expect better from a premium brand like Alba wouldn't you? That phone cost me 50 quid.
Up until now, I've always used Motorola mobile phones, but I don't think they make smartphones, do they?
I liked Motorola ones because they were always a bit more stylish... My favourite was the Startac, and a lovely wee green flip-open one I once had:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/NabtvC.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1024x768q90/922/Xta4nw.jpg
Back then, the smaller the phone, the cooler it was! Not like today, where they're big and bulky, and all the same boring shape....:rolleyes:
Marco.
The one I have spare is pretty big but I thought you might want a big screen so the virtual keys are large enough for your sausage fingers...
Oh yeah, defo - when it comes to smartphones, ya gots ta have a big screen:)
Just sayin' that at one time, the dinkier the phone, the cooler it was to have - and what was important to me was that, unlike now, they didn't all share the same generic look!:rolleyes:
And I liked some of the funkier colours they came in, too....
Marco.
Oh yeah, defo - when it comes to smartphones, ya gots ta have a big screen:)
Just sayin' that at one time, the dinkier the phone, the cooler it was to have - and what was important to me was that, unlike now, they didn't all share the same generic look!:rolleyes:
And I liked some of the funkier colours they came in, too....
Marco.
Deffo. I had the smallest one possible, a dinky little Sony flip. Loved that 'phone. Left it in the pub one night and someone had it away. But I worked in the business at the time so was into them. Don't care nowadays as long as it works when I need it to.
Ive got thick fingers, but manage on my dinky old iphone.(they have got significantly bigger since this model tho) Some folk dont seem to have fingers that work capacitive screens well tho so its something to try deffo first.
For what you will likely use it then probably any phone will do unless your infotainment system if you have one runs one of the apple car play or its android brother.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 17:26
Oh yeah, defo - when it comes to smartphones, ya gots ta have a big screen:)
Just sayin' that at one time, the dinkier the phone, the cooler it was to have - and what was important to me was that, unlike now, they didn't all share the same generic look!:rolleyes:
And I liked some of the funkier colours they came in, too....
Marco.
A Pokémon phone case should tick all the boxes for you. And you could customise it by drawing a willy on it.
Oh golly, how exciting, daddee! Will Santa bring it along with mummy's 'Rampant Rabbit'?:carrot::carrot:
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 17:34
Any more lip and you'll get a piece of coal
A Pokémon phone case should tick all the boxes for you. And you could customise it by drawing a willy on it.
:lol:
Crackles
12-10-2018, 18:33
It's pretty much impossible to use an Android phone without it trying to interact with everything you do and monitor your activity. Even without any social media apps loads of it is just built into Google. Even for the bits that can be removed or switched off, you have to know your way round the phone to do it.
Does my head in when apps are trying to access your contacts etc. There needs to be a fuller backlash against it than there has been up to now. I can't think of any other consumer product that dictates what the user does rather than the other way round.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
I like the look of this [especially the JBL bit:eyebrows:]:
https://youtu.be/OBVCZ-P1GCk
And whaddya know, there's this smart-looking chap: https://www.motorola.co.uk/products/moto-z
Why did no-one think of mentioning it - that ticks a lot of boxes for me!;)
Marco.
It's pretty much impossible to use an Android phone without it trying to interact with everything you do and monitor your activity. Even without any social media apps loads of it is just built into Google. Even for the bits that can be removed or switched off, you have to know your way round the phone to do it.
Does my head in when apps are trying to access your contacts etc. There needs to be a fuller backlash against it than there has been up to now. I can't think of any other consumer product that dictates what the user does rather than the other way round.
Surely one of the specialist phone shops could assist with that?:)
The last bit, however, is a little worrying.
Marco.
Crackles
12-10-2018, 18:49
Surely one of the specialist phone shops could assist with that?:)
The last bit, however, is a little worrying.
Marco.Maybe they could I've not tried it, I might give it a go.
Google are horrendous for intrusivess mate. If you leave GPS switched on your phone (which I keep doing because I forget to switch it off) then Google know absolutely everywhere you have been. I get messages telling me everywhere I have been in the last month, down to shops I had forgotten I'd visited.
I do think that one day the US tech giants will become a thing of the past when the world becomes pissed off with their arrogance and the ridiculous amount of social, financial and political power they have.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
It's pretty much impossible to use an Android phone without it trying to interact with everything you do and monitor your activity. Even without any social media apps loads of it is just built into Google. Even for the bits that can be removed or switched off, you have to know your way round the phone to do it.
One of the reasons I ditched my Samsung/Android tablet :(
Worst though is that there have been many reports of users switching off the tracking/data stealing features on Google ... only to find that they were still being tracked regardless :steam:
I have now taken to using my phone as little as possible ... and switching it off if not needed.
Pigmy Pony
12-10-2018, 18:54
If ever I worked near a pub or café, I would later get a message asking me to rate my visit to that establishment. Apparently I could turn this off but I never bothered as I couldn't care less who knows where I am, not since I resigned my position with MI6.
If ever I worked near a pub or café, I would later get a message asking me to rate my visit to that establishment. Apparently I could turn this off but I never bothered as I couldn't care less who knows where I am, not since I resigned my position with MI6.
That's not the point though, mate. It's the "Big Brother" watching you thing, and the complete unauthorised invasion of privacy! That's utterly abhorrent and one of the reasons why I've shunned smartphones for so long.
Marco.
I don't get any of this stuff. But I think mine has Microsoft o/s.
I don't actually care if they know where I am, but if I was doing crime I'd just leave the 'phone at a friends house, then, when they check it, it will support my statement that I'd been at his place all evening.
Lol... The thing is, I'm someone who delights in being 'off grid'. I have no need to be 'connected' 24/7 to any form of modern technology, so I don't want to be surreptitiously 'spied on' by anyone, even though I've got nothing to hide (other than the annual cross-dressing conventions I attend in Coventry, but you didn't hear that from me).
Marco.
The 'Beagle Street' ads.
Don't know about you but if I had just moved into my new house and my (now-you-mention-it) creepy looking wife started giving me the hard sell on life insurance I'd be nipping on down to the shop for a packet of fags and not coming back.
Pigmy Pony
13-10-2018, 17:33
Lol... The thing is, I'm someone who delights in being 'off grid'. I have no need to be 'connected' 24/7 to any form of modern technology, so I don't want to be surreptitiously 'spied on' by anyone, even though I've got nothing to hide (other than the annual cross-dressing conventions I attend in Coventry, but you didn't hear that from me).
Marco.
No we didn't, but your sat nav destination was posted in "Garmin Varmints" monthly. And you thought your 'special requirements' would go unnoticed. :)
Minstrel SE
15-10-2018, 18:04
Oh Im just resigned to the fact that they can pull data off my phone but why worry if Im not doing anything wrong.
I think most people complain that the mrs can track you and spoil a good affair :)
Ive a lot of respect for people like John Cooper Clarke who seems to be off grid with this sort of stuff. Ive read you had to leave a message with his mum to have any chance of contacting him.
The younger generation are so visual but I worry that the balance has to be right between privacy and phone convenience
You can rest assured that anyone who tracks your every move and your analyses your browsing history and search arguements is only doing it to supply you with tailored advertisements and information you might find useful and to give you an altogether more pleasurable and fulfilling on-line experience. ...My @rse!
Pigmy Pony
16-10-2018, 06:19
Mrs. Pony is getting sick of all the 'bondage toys' promotions in the post.
Pete The Cat
27-10-2018, 15:52
And so to this week's bugbear. I hate it when companies change products when you're happy enough with them as they are.
I've been happily drinking PG Tips Decaf tea for a couple of years. It was one of the few things in life where, after taking the interesting stuff out (in this case caffeine), it still tasted like the real thing.
But no, they've had to foul it up. It has now been relaunched as, ahem, "Tasty Decaf". Some bright spark in marketing has taken the usual builder's brew that I knew and loved and lobbed a quasi-Earl Grey effect into it. Abomination.
Why do we need to have progress ?
Pete
Eastenders - unfortunately Mrs Co follows it religiously and every time I pop into the room when it's on there's either a vicious cat-fight with bucketfuls of verbal abuse thrown in or a couple who are married (but not to each other) indulging in heavy petting. Apart from the storylines being totally unbelievable I'm amazed that anyone can enjoy watching it!
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 18:07
Eastenders
Dreadful, uncouth rubbish with the same target audience as the Jeremy Kyle Show. (only my opinion of course, it may have deep artistic and intellectual significance for all I know :D)
Dreadful, uncouth rubbish with the same target audience as the Jeremy Kyle Show. (only my opinion of course, it may have deep artistic and intellectual significance for all I know :D)
Now you mention it JK takes some beating, (and there's a queue waiting to give it to him ). I've only seen about 20 seconds of it but that was more than enough for a lifetime. It must be a wind-up, surely?
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 20:02
Now you mention it JK takes some beating, (and there's a queue waiting to give it to him ). I've only seen about 20 seconds of it but that was more than enough for a lifetime. It must be a wind-up, surely?
You realise neither of us would be invited to participate. If you can read and write properly and have more than three healthy teeth, exclusion is automatic (fortunately :D).
Crackles
04-11-2018, 20:45
I've always described Eastenders as simply 'a load of cockneys shouting at each other'. They just seem to be having arguments all of the time.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
I've always described Eastenders as simply 'a load of cockneys shouting at each other'. They just seem to be having arguments all of the time.
Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
It wouldn't be much of a show if all they did was go to work, come home again, watch a bit of telly and go to bed. If my life was a TV show it would be not be a ratings winner.
Bloke in front of me in the supermarket queue, the smug, posh type. He's unloading his stuff on the conveyor so slowly it's unreal. But I noticed he was only using one hand so I thought he must have something wrong with his other arm. Had a stroke or something. And he packs the same way, one handed, dead slow. He's only got about ten items but he's only packed about half of them by the time the girl has scanned the lot. And she isn't fast, not by a long margin.
Then when he's finally done putting them in the bag he gets his wallet out, one of those wanky things with his 'phone and all his cards in it as well, and lo and behold his other arm is fine. Then when he's paid he cocks about for ages putting his change back and closing his wallet. And there was a massive queue, about six or seven people behind him.
I had to do my breathing exercises man, I wanted to beat him to death with a can of ox-tail.
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 21:40
Yup. You encounter all sorts in supermarkets.
I pride myself on being ultra well organised at the checkout. Goods on the conveyor belt in the order I want to pack them, bag and loyalty card at the ready and I pack quick. No cash, just a quick swipe of my debit card and I'm off!
Beat him to death with a Brillo pad, mate!:D
Seriously though, i'd have said something. I've done it before;)
Marco [operates a zero-tolerance policy against dilly-dallying farter-abouters].
Yup. You encounter all sorts in supermarkets.
I pride myself on being ultra well organised at the checkout. Goods on the conveyor belt in the order I want to pack them, bag and loyalty card at the ready and I pack quick. No cash, just a quick swipe of my debit card and I'm off!
I'm the same except almost always pay cash.
Maybe they should teach it at school? How to go through a supermarket checkout efficiently. I suppose there's no time for it. They have half the year off now because either it's raining or something or it's one of the 'teacher training' days. And the remaining time is taken up with lessons on climate change and visits to mosques.
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 21:45
Seriously though, i'd have said something. I've done it before.
Ha Ha, so have I. Usually after somebody makes a remark. I keep it simple and generally respond with just a 'fuck off' and leave it there, letting them rant!
What a bunch of misanthropes! If you are in that much of a hurry - use a self-service checkout.
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 21:50
Anyway, what's this silly business of people saying 'thank you' when you put a divider on the belt. They never used to and I certainly don't. I use a divider as it makes sense to put one there 'cos I don't want their crap getting mixed up with my shopping.
What a bunch of misanthropes! If you are in that much of a hurry - use a self-service checkout.
I won't use them.
For at least 5000 years shops have worked on the principle that you go in, select what you want and then the shopkeeper adds up the bill, bags your goods, takes your money, gives you your change and bids you good day. It was a good system and it didn't need changing.
Now they expect you to do it all yourself whilst they pocket the savings? People are out of their minds to go along with it.
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 21:56
What a bunch of misanthropes!
Yup! :lol:
Anyway, what's this silly business of people saying 'thank you' when you put a divider on the belt. They never used to and I certainly don't. I use a divider as it makes sense to put one there 'cos I don't want their crap getting mixed up with my shopping.
They're thanking you for doing it for them.
Talking of thanking people - I've noticed passengers here thank the driver when they get off the bus. I've started doing it myself and most drivers return the compliment. Not essential, but a little politeness goes a long way in this increasingly selfish and uncaring world we seem to be living in.
Pigmy Pony
04-11-2018, 22:42
What a bunch of misanthropes! If you are in that much of a hurry - use a self-service checkout.
No, the slow people can use the self service checkouts, then they can fart about to their hearts content without winding up the rest of us.
I don't see that the supermarket can save that much money anyway. The technology must cost a fair bit, and also they employ people to keep an eye on things, making sure no one is trying to diddle them by carrying out "random" checks.
I don't use these things but Mrs P does, and it frequently needs for an assistant to do stuff to it. The one that really winds me up is "unexpected item in bagging area" - if I'd placed a severed giraffes leg or something on there it would be understandable, but this is stuff off their own shelves for cryin out loud.
Oh dear, I would upset you lot in a shop.... thing is I go on my bike intending to carry stuff home in my panniers, but I always forget to take a plastic bag with me to get it from the till back to my bike, so there I am trying to stuff bread rolls, tins of tuna, bananas and a bottle of milk into my pockets and those little bags you get free at the in-store bakery, whilst dropping coins all over the checkout.
Yes, I could buy a plastic bag but they cost 5p these days !! And I have a cupboard full of them back at the ranch.
No, the slow people can use the self service checkouts, then they can fart about to their hearts content without winding up the rest of us.
I don't see that the supermarket can save that much money anyway. The technology must cost a fair bit, and also they employ people to keep an eye on things, making sure no one is trying to diddle them by carrying out "random" checks.
I don't use these things but Mrs P does, and it frequently needs for an assistant to do stuff to it. The one that really winds me up is "unexpected item in bagging area" - if I'd placed a severed giraffes leg or something on there it would be understandable, but this is stuff off their own shelves for cryin out loud.
There's no-one to "keep an eye on things" in my local supermarket. The two self-service terminals are frequently out of order. I don't use them.
I'm with Martin, but then I'm patient, retired and have the time to actually engage in conversation with staff in the local shops.
walpurgis
04-11-2018, 23:27
I could buy a plastic bag but they cost 5p these days !! And I have a cupboard full of them back at the ranch.
I carry two at all times. Carefuly folded, in a jeans back pocket. Once home and they're emptied, they get folded again and put back in the pocket!
I carry two at all times. Carefuly folded, in a jeans back pocket. Once home and they're emptied, they get folded again and put back in the pocket!
That's what I do, or rather have a bag in each jacket. I also have a canvas bag or two in the boot of the car.
I once rather cheekily suggested the supermarket should not charge me for any bag, but instead pay me as I was advertising their store. :D The person on the checkout unsurprisingly didn't understand my sarcasm.
Pigmy Pony
05-11-2018, 07:35
I carry two at all times. Carefuly folded, in a jeans back pocket. Once home and they're emptied, they get folded again and put back in the pocket!
You must do a fair bit of rustling. But I heard that you squeak when you walk. :D
What a bunch of misanthropes! If you are in that much of a hurry - use a self-service checkout.
Lol - don't get me started on that pish! Have you not read my (many) rants here on the subject?;)
It's not so much about being in a hurry; it's the sheer selfishness/lack of consideration for others, displayed by wankers such as Martin described [I'll go at MY pace and can't be arsed being better organised and preparing myself properly in advance, fuck you] that irks beyond belief!!
Do you honestly think that the tosser Martin referred to wasn't aware of the annoyance he was causing others, standing waiting for him to finish fannying about?:rolleyes:
If it had been a doddery wee old woman (or man), unable to do any better, it would've been different. Clearly, however, that wasn't the case.
Marco.
No, the slow people can use the self service checkouts, then they can fart about to their hearts content without winding up the rest of us.
Indeed! Some of us who are PAYING to be served, *insist* on being so - and as quickly and efficiently as possible.
That's one of the reasons I like shopping in Aldi and Lidl... Compare the speed of staff there scanning stuff through tills, with the ones in other supermarkets! And quite rightly, you're made to do your packing away from the till area, so in that respect you can fart about till your heart's content.
It's simple: when you're at a checkout, have your means of payment readily accessible, pack your goods into bags (which you've already looked out whilst standing in the queue) as quickly as is reasonably possible, and BE AWARE that your actions [slow or fast] are directly impacting on others in the queue behind you, who may be pushed for time - and for legitimate reasons.
I feel exactly the same about the tossers who drive on open country roads at 30/40mph during the summer months, often causing huge tailbacks behind them, and which they're fully aware of in their rear-view mirror, but choose to ignorantly ignore, and simply continue doddering around in their own little world!:doh::rolleyes:
That's one of the advantages of having a fast car with rapid acceleration, because as soon as you get a sniff of a straight road ahead, you can blast passed much of the queuing traffic, and get closer towards the doddering tosser in question, holding everyone else back - and before eventually overtaking them, blast your horn and offer them a well deserved two-fingered salute!!:upyours:
Marco.
I'm with Martin, but then I'm patient, retired and have the time to actually engage in conversation with staff in the local shops.
I'm patient with people who deserve to be shown such, as I outlined earlier, but not with those who are clearly taking the piss.
I'm also (pretty much) retired, but I've still got better/more interesting things to do than spending time indulging in small talk with checkout assistants, who despite being superficially personable, in reality couldn't give a damn about me. So no thanks; I'll skip the insincere pleasantries and stick to getting the task over with as quickly as possible!
*However*.... If you're talking about when in your local butcher/fishmonger, etc, where the staff know you, as you've been going there for years and have built up a rapport with them, and they're genuinely interested in giving you their best, then that's a different story.
We know our local butcher really well, and so always have a bit of banter with him; indeed we take him fresh mint and rosemary from our garden, for him to give to customers buying his lamb, which he really appreciates, as do his customers! And he also treats us well in return.
That's what it's all about when supporting your local independent shops, and the advantages gained from doing so, but not at supermarkets where there are no such advantages, and chances are you won't see the same checkout assistant twice!
Marco.
All of the above angst is precisely why I get most of my shopping delivered these days.
i prefer to do my own shopping, difficult as it is. dont have many issues with staff or other customers; most are helpful. trick is to watch for the ditherers and avoid them.
All of the above angst is precisely why I get most of my shopping delivered these days.
Not much good though, if you like to hand-pick fresh produce yourself (thus ensuring it meets *your* standards, not simply those of the supermarket picker) and/or select the best sell-by dates for all relevant products, by reaching right at the back of the shelf stock and selecting the stuff with the furthest away dates [count me in]!;)
Plus, there's no 'angst', if like me, you shop at the quietest times of the day, when most folk are at work (around 10am on Mondays or Tuesdays I find is usually best). Therefore, very rarely do I encounter any queues, or the type of knob-heads Martin described!:cool:
Marco [likes to get 'in and out' quickly, as the actress said to the bishop].
i prefer to do my own shopping, difficult as it is. dont have many issues with staff or other customers; most are helpful. trick is to watch for the ditherers and avoid them.
Lol - that only works if you get the chance to see them 'in action' before paying for your goods;)
Marco.
Lol - that only works if you get the chance to see them 'in action' before paying for your goods;)
Marco.
you can usually tell the divvies by their demeanor .. the gabs too are usually obvious... try and get in the queue with 40/50 yr old single men. dont talk and are used to packing
Ha - you wouldn't say that mate, when you've got scenery such as this on your doorstep:
It's the country roads there I love driving around in... You can keep all the busyness and overcrowding of yer 'darn sarf'... :ner::D;)
Inhale the fresh air, tranquility and relative solitude of beautiful North Wales!
Marco.
Marco, may I come live with you? Please?
Not much good though, if you like to hand-pick fresh produce yourself (thus ensuring it meets *your* standards, not simply those of the supermarket picker) and/or select the best sell-by dates for all relevant products, by reaching right at the back of the shelf stock and selecting the stuff with the furthest away dates [count me in]!;)
Plus, there's no 'angst', if like me, you shop at the quietest times of the day, when most folk are at work (around 10am on Mondays or Tuesdays I find is usually best). Therefore, very rarely do I encounter any queues, or the type of knob-heads Martin described!:cool:
Marco [likes to get 'in and out' quickly, as the actress said to the bishop].
Snap! great minds and all that.......
Indeed! Some of us who are PAYING to be served, *insist* on being so - and as quickly and efficiently as possible.
That's one of the reasons I like shopping in Aldi and Lidl... Compare the speed of staff there scanning stuff through tills, with the ones in other supermarkets! And quite rightly, you're made to do your packing away from the till area, so in that respect you can fart about till your heart's content.
It's simple: when you're at a checkout, have your means of payment [B]readily accessible[/U
I feel exactly the same about the tossers who drive on open country roads at 30/40mph during the summer months, often causing huge tailbacks behind them, and which they're fully aware of in their rear-view mirror, but ignorantly ignore, and simply continue doddering around in their own little world!:doh::rolleyes:
That's one of the advantages of having a fast car with rapid acceleration, because as soon as you get a sniff of a straight road ahead, you can blast passed much of the queuing traffic, and get closer towards the doddering tosser in question, holding everyone else back - and before eventually overtaking them, blast your horn and offer them a well deserved two-fingered salute!!:upyours:
Marco.
100% agree on people driving at 40mph in a 60 limit.
My regular commute has a 6 mile A road stretch we're NSL applies and 60 is perfectly safe, I'm often stuck being some twat doing 40 and there are only two safe overtaking places.
As you say having a quick car certainly helps you to exploit overtaking opportunities. On paper my Saab isn't that quick (220bhp) but the midrange grunt for overtaking is phenomenal
Oh dear, I would upset you lot in a shop.... thing is I go on my bike intending to carry stuff home in my panniers, but I always forget to take a plastic bag with me to get it from the till back to my bike, so there I am trying to stuff bread rolls, tins of tuna, bananas and a bottle of milk into my pockets and those little bags you get free at the in-store bakery, whilst dropping coins all over the checkout.
Yes, I could buy a plastic bag but they cost 5p these days !!
Lol - ya total tightwad!:D:lol:
I'd never inconvenience myself like that for the sake of 5p!! I'd be asking for a plastic bag quicker than you could say: 'Self-service checkouts are simply for the gullible or stupid':eyebrows:;)
Marco.
Marco, may I come live with you? Please?
Lol - do you think you could you afford the rates?:eyebrows:
Marco.
100% agree on people driving at 40mph in a 60 limit.
My regular commute has a 6 mile A road stretch we're NSL applies and 60 is perfectly safe, I'm often stuck being some twat doing 40 and there are only two safe overtaking places.
As you say having a quick car certainly helps you to exploit overtaking opportunities. On paper my Saab isn't that quick (220bhp) but the midrange grunt for overtaking is phenomenal
Yup (on both counts, as I've had Saabs in the past). The problem is folk being given/allowed to retain a driving license, when clearly they have little interest in driving and/or the ability/confidence to do it properly!:doh:
If I were in charge of such things, I'd have a MASSIVE CULL, in terms of who was allowed to use the road (in a car, bike or whatever), and who would be made to walk or take the bus!!:trust:
Marco.
Yup (on both counts, as I've had Saabs in the past). The problem is folk being given/allowed to retain a driving license, when clearly they have little interest in driving and/or the ability/confidence to do it properly!:doh:
If I were in charge of such things, I'd have a MASSIVE CULL, in terms of who was allowed to use the road (in a car, bike or whatever), and who would be made to walk or take the bus!!:trust:
Marco.
I'd vote for you.
Trouble is that nowadays people are brainwashed into believing that speed is the only cause of accidents and as long as they stay under the speed limit they're a safe driver, observation, anticipation, lane discipline etc don't matter apparently
Beobloke
05-11-2018, 15:10
and before eventually overtaking them, blast your horn and offer them a well deserved two-fingered salute!!:upyours:
Marco.
I was completely with you until this bit.
Anyway, supermarkets. I don't mind supermarket shopping, as long as I know where things are. I don't even mind queueing up whilst some slowcoach takes ages sorting out their money, bags, loyalty card, etc. What I really don't like is when a bunch of bleary-eyed students drift in, standing three abreast in the aisles, having to discuss each purchase at length with their mates, then end up buying just a case of lager and some Pringles.
I'd vote for you.
Trouble is that nowadays people are brainwashed into believing that speed is the only cause of accidents and as long as they stay under the speed limit they're a safe driver, observation, anticipation, lane discipline etc don't matter apparently
Sadly driving skills are being eroded by the " driver aids " fitted in new cars. If you can't stay in lane without your seat groping your arse, can't park a car yourself or go anywhere without programming your sat nav then driving may not be for you. The cynic in me might say this is all getting us ready for driverless cars and eventually no cars......bastards.
I was completely with you until this bit.
Why? It's immensely satisfying - and the dithering fuckwits deserve *everything* they get!!:D
Marco.
Sadly driving skills are being eroded by the " driver aids " fitted in new cars. If you can't stay in lane without your seat groping your arse, can't park a car yourself or go anywhere without programming your sat nav then driving may not be for you. The cynic in me might say this is all getting us ready for driverless cars and eventually no cars......bastards.
Don't even get me started on that one!!!!:doh::steam:
And yes, I completely agree with the rest of your post. Everything is being dumbed down these days to pander to the inadequates and lazy of thinking!:rolleyes:
Marco.
Beobloke
05-11-2018, 16:18
Why? It's immensely satisfying - and the dithering fuckwits deserve *everything* they get!!:D
Marco.
Because it’s rude, chavvy and unnecessary.
my new one can help a lot with driving, but thats not to say its going to take over; just help with safety etc which is no bad thing as long as you can drive anyway. ive probably driven more miles than most in my life, having regularly did a 450m trek most days for quite a few years. Tbh it kinda got there without me being aware of it half the time. part of you switches off until its needed
Because it’s rude, chavvy and unnecessary.
Well, I'd debate all three, particularly the last one (and contend that it's just as rude to drive so selfishly in the first place, deliberately impeding the progress of others). Plus I live in hope that my actions might make the fuckers wake-up or mend their ways in future!!;)
Marco.
No offence intended Grant, it's the drivers who rely on these aids and don't ever learn roadcraft, something you only really learn through experience that are the worry.
No offence intended Grant, it's the drivers who rely on these aids and don't ever learn roadcraft, something you only really learn through experience that are the worry.
Don't know about relying on aids but far too many drivers seem to rely on their brakes these days. Admittedly they are fantastically effective compared to those of yesteryear, the downside is people now thunder towards junctions, traffic lights, roundabouts etc. applying the brakes as late as possible ... Where they usually have to wait while I pull up gently behind them. It's not good for the planet, their car, or them in the event of a failure.
I try to adjust my speed for hazards in good time which incenses lots of speedsters, can't win 'em all I suppose.
Not much good though, if you like to hand-pick fresh produce yourself (thus ensuring it meets *your* standards, not simply those of the supermarket picker) and/or select the best sell-by dates for all relevant products, by reaching right at the back of the shelf stock and selecting the stuff with the furthest away dates ].
After trying out Asda, Iceland, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s & Tesco’s I settled on Asda as being the best all rounder.
I’ve genuinely never had any issues with the quality of fresh produce or very adjacent sell by dates. If the ordered product isn’t in stock a substitute is provided which is at least equivalent but, more often than not, superior to that ordered.
On the very rare occasion I’ve had to complain about something they’re always very helpful. Once a couple of eggs in a box of ten were broken, I was refunded for the whole box without question.
I pay £30 per annum for a delivery pass which allows you to have as many deliveries as you like, I have at least one delivery a week & my other half and her family make regular use of the service as well so I really get my money’s worth.
I still make the odd shopping trip, usually to the likes of Aldi’s or Lidl’s (I have one in walking distance) as I find their central aisle sales section interesting. Last time I visited I bought a cucumber, baked beans, a watering can and a foot pump!
no issue.. far too many folk out there who havent the foggiest how to drive, they just got coaxed through their test. then there are the folk who think they have to do everything at speed, or are using a phone. technology should be there to help good drivers drive better, not be a substitute for ability. the roads are dangerous because they are too busy and too many dont know what to do if its not how it was yesterday
Firebottle
05-11-2018, 17:15
I try to adjust my speed for hazards in good time which incenses lots of speedsters, ......
Tough shit to the speedsters I say, what you are doing is the correct way to drive. Read the road my dad always used to say.
Pigmy Pony
05-11-2018, 19:36
+1. Too many drivers, especially on motorways, ride their brakes. And it's because they are tailgating to bully the car in front to move over. Or they're afraid of "losing their place" when someone nips in front of them.
By maintaining a safe distance I can see further ahead, and can go for mile after mile without ever touching my brakes.
+1. Too many drivers, especially on motorways, ride their brakes. And it's because they are tailgating to bully the car in front to move over. Or they're afraid of "losing their place" when someone nips in front of them.
By maintaining a safe distance I can see further ahead, and can go for mile after mile without ever touching my brakes.
I did this when my son was learning to drive, trying to teach him how to look well ahead and adjust speed and position early, I drove about 2 miles through Bristol without touching the brakes.
Pigmy Pony
05-11-2018, 19:52
And you get where you're going just as quickly, and less stressed.
Once drove the 17 miles from my house to the car dealers in fife without touching accelerator or brake. Just adjusted the cruise. Got lucky with traffic as well of course but it's another example of thinking ahead and reading the road
Don't know about relying on aids but far too many drivers seem to rely on their brakes these days. Admittedly they are fantastically effective compared to those of yesteryear, the downside is people now thunder towards junctions, traffic lights, roundabouts etc. applying the brakes as late as possible ...
Yes, I've noticed that. It's yet more idiocy and a valid example of how NOT to drive! Arses...
I try to adjust my speed for hazards in good time which incenses lots of speedsters, can't win 'em all I suppose.
As others have said Mark, spot on. It's you who's driving properly, not them. Anticipation, and reacting correctly and in time to prevailing road conditions, are vital skills for driving. I'm not a slow driver, by any means, but I'll only drive fast when it's appropriate and safe to do so.
In built up areas, for example, I drive like a nun, always observing the speed limits, as I have a dread of knocking anyone down, especially a child.
Marco.
After trying out Asda, Iceland, Morrison’s, Sainsbury’s & Tesco’s I settled on Asda as being the best all rounder.
I’ve genuinely never had any issues with the quality of fresh produce or very adjacent sell by dates. If the ordered product isn’t in stock a substitute is provided which is at least equivalent but, more often than not, superior to that ordered.
On the very rare occasion I’ve had to complain about something they’re always very helpful. Once a couple of eggs in a box of ten were broken, I was refunded for the whole box without question.
I pay £30 per annum for a delivery pass which allows you to have as many deliveries as you like, I have at least one delivery a week & my other half and her family make regular use of the service as well so I really get my money’s worth.
I still make the odd shopping trip, usually to the likes of Aldi’s or Lidl’s (I have one in walking distance) as I find their central aisle sales section interesting. Last time I visited I bought a cucumber, baked beans, a watering can and a foot pump!
Fair enough Roy, whatever works, works. It wouldn't suit me, for reasons previously expressed, and also because I'm a spontaneous buyer. I'm also not a creature of habit, so I go food shopping simply whenever I feel like it, and buy whatever I'm in the mood to eat.
Rarely do I go into supermarkets with a list, and stick rigidly to it. I'm inspired by whatever looks good or interesting, and for me that's best achieved by physically browsing the stock in stores. Plus, I like getting out and about and hate living my life through a computer!
Perhaps when I'm old and frail I'll consider online food shopping, but not now:)
Marco.
P.S Yes, the 'middle of Lidl' is always worth a look, as the range of products is diverse and the quality surprisingly good, considering the low price. I particularly like their 'Silvercrest' range of electrical items, and indeed have a bought a few.
anthonyTD
06-11-2018, 09:15
Folk who say "So" at the begining of every sentence! :doh:
Folk who say "So" at the begining of every sentence! :doh:
So, you don't like folk who are so-so then;)
Folk who say "So" at the begining of every sentence! :doh:
What about "innit', at the end?:D
Marco.
So, you don't like folk who are so-so then;)
Well, he likes you. And you're not 'all there', only so-so....:D:eyebrows:
Marco.
Rarely do I go into supermarkets with a list, and stick rigidly to it. I'm inspired by whatever looks good or interesting, and for me that's best achieved by physically browsing the stock in stores.
Trouble is you go in for a loaf and end up spending 80 quid! I get where you’re coming from though.
Well, he likes you. And you're not 'all there', only so-so....:D:eyebrows:
Marco.
bordering on no-no
anthonyTD
06-11-2018, 10:05
Clowns! :eek::lol:
walpurgis
06-11-2018, 10:10
Folk who say "So" at the begining of every sentence! :doh:
What about those who say 'like' at the end of every sentence? :rolleyes:
mightymonoped
06-11-2018, 10:14
So, this thread is just a bunch of moaning old farts, innit?.....like
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Trouble is you go in for a loaf and end up spending 80 quid! I get where you’re coming from though.
Lol... It can happen, but I try to discipline myself. Plus the promotions/bargains on offer are most obvious and easier to access in store.
In reality, I sometimes make a list of essentials (although I normally can remember them), plus stuff that Del wants for herself (veggie/vegan foods, etc), and the rest is pretty much spontaneous, based on what tempts me on the day!:)
Marco.
I never make lists. gives me an excuse to go back and get what i forgot;) ...although i often forget again:doh:
Folk who say "So" at the begining of every sentence! :doh:
So why's that?
Only joking, it an annoys me too. Another Americanism I'm afraid.
People saying "can I get?" instead of "can/may I have?" is another one, I recently heard a barman reply "no you can't Get drinks, you're not allowed behind the bar but I can GET them for you"
anthonyTD
06-11-2018, 10:44
Indeed!:)
So why's that?
Only joking, it an annoys me too. Another Americanism I'm afraid.
People saying "can I get?" instead of "can/may I have?" is another one, I recently heard a barman reply "no you can't Get drinks, you're not allowed behind the bar but I can GET them for you"
Plus the promotions/bargains on offer are most obvious and easier to access in store.
Not strictly true, at least using Asda's website. There's a facility to list all the items on offer (3 for 2, bogof, 2 or 3 for a reduced price etc.) so you're able to browse them all rather than search/scan the shelves to try and figure out what's included.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181106/30461b395f634e2668d3d63002d69ad3.jpg
So why's that?
Only joking, it an annoys me too. Another Americanism I'm afraid.
People saying "can I get?" instead of "can/may I have?" is another one, I recently heard a barman reply "no you can't Get drinks, you're not allowed behind the bar but I can GET them for you"
I was once somewhat taken aback when in a pub the barwoman asked me "What do you want?". The polite and welcoming greeting would have been "What would you like?"; hence my reply: "What do I WANT? Well I would LIKE ....."
Apropos strange starts to conversation, my partner always starts a telephone conversation with "Yes", regardless of the nature of the call. But then English is not her first language, it's her third.
Other Americanisms I detest are the use of nouns as verbs, and overtly PC but ultimately ludicrous expressions such as "(gravitationally or altitude) challenged" and "people of color".
Beobloke
06-11-2018, 14:28
I did this when my son was learning to drive, trying to teach him how to look well ahead and adjust speed and position early, I drove about 2 miles through Bristol without touching the brakes.
Exactly this. Which is one of the many reasons I hate cars with blacked out windows. Not only do they look ridiculous from the outside and make the interior of the car like a coffin, I think they are dangerous. How the hell am I supposed to drive properly by anticipating the actions of the drivers two to four cars in front of me when I can’t bloody see them?!
I genuinely believe they should be banned but, then again, judging by the letterboxes masquerading as windows on cars these days generally, it would appear I’m in a minority in being keen to see what is around me.
Exactly this. Which is one of the many reasons I hate cars with blacked out windows. Not only do they look ridiculous from the outside and make the interior of the car like a coffin, I think they are dangerous. How the hell am I supposed to drive properly by anticipating the actions of the drivers two to four cars in front of me when I can’t bloody see them?!
I genuinely believe they should be banned but, then again, judging by the letterboxes masquerading as windows on cars these days generally, it would appear I’m in a minority in being keen to see what is around me.
You wouldn't like the Brabster then, as it has 'blacked out' windows (read as heavily tinted). You can't see inside unless you're very close to the car, and peer right in, but you can see out of them just as easily as normal windows:)
Marco.
You wouldn't like the Brabster then, as it has 'blacked out' windows (read as heavily tinted). You can't see inside unless you're very close to the car, and peer right in, but you can see out of them just as easily as normal windows:)
Marco.
back 2 sides windows(read pidgeon holes) are blacked out on my new one. no preference really, and i guess it helps protect anything in back seat
I was once somewhat taken aback when in a pub the barwoman asked me "What do you want?". The polite and welcoming greeting would have been "What would you like?"; hence my reply: "What do I WANT? Well I would LIKE ....."
Apropos strange starts to conversation, my partner always starts a telephone conversation with "Yes", regardless of the nature of the call. But then English is not her first language, it's her third.
Other Americanisms I detest are the use of nouns as verbs, and overtly PC but ultimately ludicrous expressions such as "(gravitationally or altitude) challenged" and "people of color".
Italians often say "pronto" (quickly) when answering the phone, I initially thought it was incredibly rude but apparently it isn't and is a perfectly acceptable thing to do
Pigmy Pony
06-11-2018, 16:40
What about "innit', at the end?:D
Marco.
So much better than Quality Street - I bought a big tin of Cadbury's Roses, and there isn't a single chocolate that I don't like innit.
Are we getting angry yet? :D
Pigmy Pony
06-11-2018, 16:49
back 2 sides windows(read pidgeon holes) are blacked out on my new one. no preference really, and i guess it helps protect anything in back seat
The law allows back windows to be tinted, but if the front ones or windscreen are, you will be stopped at some point. A favourite trick by the police is to peel back some of the tinting film so they look shit. I'm fine with this, as a fully blacked-out car will just make spotting criminals harder.
The law with tinted visors on helmets is rather odd - you can have a tinted visor during the day provided you are carrying a clear one for night-time use.
Italians often say "pronto" (quickly) when answering the phone, I initially thought it was incredibly rude but apparently it isn't and is a perfectly acceptable thing to do
Indeed it is, which as an Italian I can confirm:)
Marco.
The law allows back windows to be tinted, but if the front ones or windscreen are, you will be stopped at some point.
Never had a problem. The front ones are but the windscreen isn't:)
Marco.
Never had a problem. The front ones are but the windscreen isn't:)
Marco.
as long as they allow 75% of the light through they are legal.
Pigmy Pony
06-11-2018, 17:13
Never had a problem. The front ones are but the windscreen isn't:)
Marco.
The police already know it's you - the only Brabster in Wrexham with a "I heart Gary Barlow" bumper sticker :D
Plus they know arguing with you would be futile - they would end up tinting their own car!
Pigmy Pony
06-11-2018, 17:18
as long as they allow 75% of the light through they are legal.
I knew there was a percentage, couldn't remember what it was. Some traffic cops carry a meter for measuring emissivity (is that a word?) for that very reason.
Indeed it is, which as an Italian I can confirm:)
Marco.
You're Italian?
Great I can swear at you in your native language:lol:
I worked for Italians for 8 years and can swear fluently.
Can't say anything polite though:scratch:
You're Italian?
Penso di si, stronzo di merda!;)
Marco.
The police already know it's you - the only Brabster in Wrexham with a "I heart Gary Barlow" bumper sticker :D
Plus they know arguing with you would be futile - they would end up tinting their own car!
:lolsign:
Marco.
Penso di si, stronzo di merda!;)
Marco.
vaffanculo testa di cazzo
Or are you sicillian?
In which case
Vaffanculo testa di minki
vaffanculo testa di cazzo
Or are you sicillian?
In which case
Vaffanculo testa di minki
I was taught that by a restaurant owner to repeat to my boss after I asked him to settle an invoice, I had no idea what it meant until I did repeat it to my boss who luckily found it hilarious
vaffanculo testa di cazzo
Or are you sicillian?
:D
No, I said I was Italian, not a mongrel posing as one!;)
Testa di culo. Tu sei davvero un scemo.
Marco.
I was taught that by a restaurant owner to repeat to my boss after I asked him to settle an invoice, I had no idea what it meant until I did repeat it to my boss who luckily found it hilarious
Ha - quality!:D:D
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
26-11-2018, 21:10
I saw a news report tonight on Granada reports about parts of Greater Manchester being "no go" areas for delivery and taxi drivers. Some of these drivers have been given dash cams to record these incidents.
One bit of footage clearly showed an egg being launched at a copper, while in another clip some scrote chucked a stone at a taxi, breaking the windscreen. My question is; why were the identities of these scumbags protected by blurring their faces? Their guilt is plain to see, so why can't they be named and shamed?
I think these drivers should also be provided with paintball guns, complete with special ammo containing a bright green fluorescent paint which also smells like dog shit. Sports Direct would enjoy a welcome boost in sales as the little shitbags rush to buy replacements for their £20 "designer" outfits.
One bit of footage clearly showed an egg being launched at a copper, while in another clip some scrote chucked a stone at a taxi, breaking the windscreen. My question is; why were the identities of these scumbags protected by blurring their faces? s.
Their faces aren't blurred, that's what they actually look like.
Pigmy Pony
26-11-2018, 21:45
Their faces aren't blurred, that's what they actually look like.
:lol::lol::lol: Of course, that's it! Means the hoods are a bit belt 'n' braces then.
You don't get any if those issues round here. There are no coppers to throw eggs at and all the taxis already have chipped windscreens.
Why is it that when a new film is being advertised the gravely voice over can't say the date properly. Currently promoting the new Nicole Kidman film Destroyer which comes out January twenty five, not January the twenty fifth. Bah humbug.
Won't be long before 'theatre' replaces 'cinema' - as in 'At a cinema near you! - from Sunday!'
If it hasn't already.
Here’s something that’s been sticking in my craw for a few weeks now, jingles on television. I am shocked at what passes for music in TV commercials! Sure, some companies pay big money to play an old classic rock song, but lately there are several commercials on tv, in which the so called music, or sound tract, is so terrible I feel the need to mute the tv until it’s over! Is this a coming trend? Is this the future of music?
I don’t know if you have them in England, but in the States there is a fast food franchise called Subway. And their latest ad shows a young girl dancing with LED light up eyelashes, and what they play for music is just a screeching synth, some high pitched noise that sounds more like an alarm than music. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t play it every 10 minutes. A few other commercials have similar sound tracts, not music, just someone banging on a synth, in a most irritating fashion. Is that the goal? To catch people’s attention by irritating them? I worry that it’s an upcoming trend in music! In 5 years the pop stations will be peeling the paint off the walls with these horrific noises, pretending to be music!
But in all seriousness, I really wish commercial producers would take their jobs more seriously and make better commercials. If they are going to force us to watch them, they can at least be entertaining.
Russell
Yup we have subway. There was one In my town. Dunno if it's still there tho.
Answer is to do away with tv
Pigmy Pony
26-01-2019, 07:51
I don't think the music of adverts over here has got as bad as what your experiencing...yet, but as with most things what you have we also get eventually.
The solution for me personally is quite simple, it's called Sky Plus (other recording hard drives are available). We never watch anything live these days - everything is downloaded or recorded sometimes only watching it 20 minutes or so behind the "live" programme, so we can skip through the ads when playing back. Non of the BBC channels have advertising, which is nice, although they do spend some time promoting their own stuff.
I'm surprised that "product placement" isn't used more, as advertisers must by now be feeling the pinch from people altering their viewing habits like I do.
I feel your pain with the shit jingles Russell, you only have to hear it once and it can stay with you all day :(
. Is that the goal? To catch people’s attention by irritating them?
Yes it is. We have an ad here for a price comparison site called 'Go Compare'. Widely agreed to be the most irritating ad ever, also one of the most successful ad campaigns ever.
I do the same as Steve - if there is something coming up I want to watch I tape it and whilst that is happening watch another show I already taped. By the time that's over I've got enough time in the bank on the other recording to raz through all the ads. And in the case of a lot of shows you can also skip the 'what happened last week' and the 'coming up after the break' segments as well. They are almost as annoying as the adverts.
Pigmy Pony
26-01-2019, 08:37
Last week I was visiting a friend Saturday evening and halfway through "The Voice" (they never miss it) his wife got up to sort some snacks for us. I went through to the kitchen with them, and on the way out I picked up the remote and paused the show. When we came back I unpaused the box, and mate's missus exclaimed "Wow! How did you do that?"
Honestly, some folk.
Why is it that when a new film is being advertised the gravely voice over can't say the date properly. Currently promoting the new Nicole Kidman film Destroyer which comes out January twenty five, not January the twenty fifth. Bah humbug.
Yea, and why do some still use the american with the stupid over exaggerated chewy voice, presumably supposed to give gravitas and coolness so that you have to buy whatever shite that is being advertised.
Pigmy Pony
26-01-2019, 09:23
Americans get it the wrong way round anyway, it should be 25th January. Putting day before month is just plain wrong, and when they just use numerals it can get pretty confusing. We would assume 9/11 to be the 9th of November if we didn't know better.
At least they can't get the date of our London Bus bombing wrong.
Yea, and why do some still use the american with the stupid over exaggerated chewy voice, presumably supposed to give gravitas and coolness so that you have to buy whatever shite that is being advertised.
In fairness if they stopped doing that we'd probably miss it. Like the Pearl And Dean music. Never been the same going to the flicks since that disappeared.
Pigmy Pony
26-01-2019, 09:45
Pa pa pa pah, pa pa pa pa p-p-pah, pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pah... Pa!
Beobloke
26-01-2019, 10:03
A friend of mine wants that played at her funeral as her coffin disappears through the curtains!
Pigmy Pony
26-01-2019, 10:34
A friend of mine wants that played at her funeral as her coffin disappears through the curtains!
Perfect for as she heads through the Pearly Dean gates, followed by the main feature, "Gone Girl". :D
Americans get it the wrong way round anyway, it should be 25th January. Putting day before month is just plain wrong, and when they just use numerals it can get pretty confusing. We would assume 9/11 to be the 9th of November if we didn't know better.
At least they can't get the date of our London Bus bombing wrong.
Try working for a U.S company where sometimes dates are written the right way around and sometimes the American way round. Much confusion ensues. The yanks are the only country in the world to do that and frankly it's time they stopped.
walpurgis
26-01-2019, 11:42
Yea, and why do some still use the american with the stupid over exaggerated chewy voice, presumably supposed to give gravitas and coolness so that you have to buy whatever shite that is being advertised.
They always sound as though somebody on the mixing desk has been pissing about with the pitch. Laughable really.
I'd sooner listen to Tony Hirst's Gordie accented voiceovers, even though he hasn't a clue about the techical stuff (god knows who writes his scripts :rolleyes:).
Pigmy Pony
26-01-2019, 12:00
Who's Tony Hirst?
Try working for a U.S company where sometimes dates are written the right way around and sometimes the American way round. Much confusion ensues. The yanks are the only country in the world to do that and frankly it's time they stopped.
I worked for Kodak back when God was a boy. I made a point of always writing the date in my correspondence "January 26th, 2019" to avoid any confusion.
I worked for Kodak back when God was a boy. I made a point of always writing the date in my correspondence "January 26th, 2019" to avoid any confusion.
We have various software 'platforms' some of which use the American way and some of which use the correct way. At least you can learn which is which and compensate that way but when people from various different continents have put notes on with dates you have no idea where (or perhaps that should be 'when') you are.
walpurgis
26-01-2019, 14:03
Who's Tony Hirst?
He narrates many programmes, 'How It's Made' being a well known one.
He sounds a bit like John Noakes of Blue Peter used to.
It’s no different here in the States, I see dates written both ways. It just depends on who wrote the form. Perhaps we do it, “Month/Day”, most often, I’ve never given it much thought. But it’s not like we don’t have the same problem. It’s funny how many things just evolved differently, which side of the road you drive on, and how you write the date! Standard and metric wrenches, its impossible for any American mechanic to not own both, most American cars have both on them!
Russell
Yes it is. We have an ad here for a price comparison site called 'Go Compare'. Widely agreed to be the most irritating ad ever, also one of the most successful ad campaigns ever.
I do the same as Steve - if there is something coming up I want to watch I tape it and whilst that is happening watch another show I already taped. By the time that's over I've got enough time in the bank on the other recording to raz through all the ads. And in the case of a lot of shows you can also skip the 'what happened last week' and the 'coming up after the break' segments as well. They are almost as annoying as the adverts.
That’s a very good idea! I bet you can watch twice the amount of programming in an evening than I can in the same time? If TV isn’t 50% commercials, it’s got to be close to it. Subtract the intro and updates after each commercial and the show is 10 minutes long.
Russell
There are controls here on levels of adverts but it's getting laxer every year.
Glad I got rid of TV and I don't miss it
Pigmy Pony
27-01-2019, 08:38
That’s a very good idea! I bet you can watch twice the amount of programming in an evening than I can in the same time? If TV isn’t 50% commercials, it’s got to be close to it. Subtract the intro and updates after each commercial and the show is 10 minutes long.
Russell
I'd say on average we're getting roughly 10 minutes of programme and 5 minutes of ads, which include trailers for other shows. So with the larger gaps at beginning/end of shows, ratio is about 60/40. so ypu're not far out.
It gets worse if you are unlucky enough to have a spouse that's into "The X Factor" or "Britain's Got Talent". Like much of British shows these days, they are sponsored by something or other and so you run the gauntlet of their crap jingle before and after every ad break. But in addition to this (and this is a pet hate of mine), the above two shows tag onto every second ad break a "COMPETITION TIME"!
This comprises one stupidly simple question (with three possible answers to pick from). Calls cost about £2, for a prize worth approximately £100,000. I would guess at about half a million entrants at least. My estimates I would say are pretty conservative, given the number of viewers who'll be sat there with their "smartphone" within easy reach, shouting at the telly "I KNOW THAT! I KNOW THAT!" These folk would never be dissuaded, as they won a tenner on the scratchcards this morning, so they're feeling lucky. Plus... they know the answer!
Right now I have the jingle for "The Voice" sponsor (Subway) rattling round my head, and I didn't even watch it last night. Grrr!
I'd say on average we're getting roughly 10 minutes of programme and 5 minutes of ads, which include trailers for other shows. So with the larger gaps at beginning/end of shows, ratio is about 60/40. so ypu're not far out.
It gets worse if you are unlucky enough to have a spouse that's into "The X Factor" or "Britain's Got Talent". Like much of British shows these days, they are sponsored by something or other and so you run the gauntlet of their crap jingle before and after every ad break. But in addition to this (and this is a pet hate of mine), the above two shows tag onto every second ad break a "COMPETITION TIME"!
This comprises one stupidly simple question (with three possible answers to pick from). Calls cost about £2, for a prize worth approximately £100,000. I would guess at about half a million entrants at least. My estimates I would say are pretty conservative, given the number of viewers who'll be sat there with their "smartphone" within easy reach, shouting at the telly "I KNOW THAT! I KNOW THAT!" These folk would never be dissuaded, as they won a tenner on the scratchcards this morning, so they're feeling lucky. Plus... they know the answer!
Right now I have the jingle for "The Voice" sponsor (Subway) rattling round my head, and I didn't even watch it last night. Grrr!
You do suffer. A pet hate of mine is music loudness in the build upto BBC and ITV news. If they must have it just make it shorter and quieter. At the moment its BLOODY awful
My pet hate is the way Sky keep the audio levels on the satellite channels so low - the audio line out level from their set-top decoder box is nowhere near line level of 1.77V. It's around 0.6V. This also applies to the optical output, so it's a broadcast problem. If you Google "Sky audio levels" you get thousands of hits on the subject. I have a soundbar connected to the optical output of my TV and sometimes the level is so low it won't trigger the sub-woofer blue-tooth connection.
Pigmy Pony
27-01-2019, 12:41
My pet hate is the way Sky keep the audio levels on the satellite channels so low - the audio line out level from their set-top decoder box is nowhere near line level of 1.77V. It's around 0.6V. This also applies to the optical output, so it's a broadcast problem. If you Google "Sky audio levels" you get thousands of hits on the subject. I have a soundbar connected to the optical output of my TV and sometimes the level is so low it won't trigger the sub-woofer blue-tooth connection.
I wonder if this has anything to do with my having to run A/V amp at about 35 these days, where a couple of years ago it was more like 25 for that volume level. Unless the 9 year old amp (in constant use due to the telly speaker being awful) is on its way out?
I wonder if this has anything to do with my having to run A/V amp at about 35 these days, where a couple of years ago it was more like 25 for that volume level. Unless the 9 year old amp (in constant use due to the telly speaker being awful) is on its way out?
I'll bet it has nothing to do with the age of your amp - it's the low input level.
I wonder if this has anything to do with my having to run A/V amp at about 35 these days, where a couple of years ago it was more like 25 for that volume level. Unless the 9 year old amp (in constant use due to the telly speaker being awful) is on its way out?
Our ability to discern speech/dialogue over other background noises deteriorates with age. Happens to us all. So that could be part of it. Very unlikely to be the amplifier.
Pigmy Pony
28-01-2019, 17:59
Yes I've been affected by the hearing difficulties you describe for the last ten years or so, but this issue with Sky into A/V is only a couple of years old. And now I come to think of it, sound levels from Blu Ray source is fine.
Yes I've been affected by the hearing difficulties you describe for the last ten years or so, but this issue with Sky into A/V is only a couple of years old. And now I come to think of it, sound levels from Blu Ray source is fine.
In that case would seem to narrow it down to the Sky box then. Mine is pretty low too, using a 120 watt amp and sometimes can't get the volume up enough when watching a film, especially. The individual channels seem to output at different levels too, plus they all seem to up the level when the adverts come on.
Well guys, that's why if you have an amp as part of a system, connected to a TV for watching movies, etc, it's best to use a dedicated home-cinema amp!
I know where you're coming from about levels, but I have no such issues, as my Sony amp allows individual level adjustment of all speakers connected, so if output from the broadcast is a bit low, I can boost levels to compensate:)
I hardly ever need to do that though, and as standard, when watching films on Sky Movies, via my Virgin V6 box, to get a punchy and convincing 'cinematic surround sound', with real depth and scale, I listen between 35-40 on the digital readout on the amp's volume control, which goes up to 70, so things certainly aren't running out of steam...
It also helps if you're using sensitive speakers and an amp with enough 'oomph' to drive them properly, but Sky really should should address the often low-output of their broadcasts, as it can strangle the sound - and also the level of entertainment you get from watching films and TV programmes.
Marco.
In that case would seem to narrow it down to the Sky box then. Mine is pretty low too, using a 120 watt amp and sometimes can't get the volume up enough when watching a film, especially. The individual channels seem to output at different levels too, plus they all seem to up the level when the adverts come on.
Next time I'm over, I'll have a look at the set up for you, and see if anything can be done to improve matters, including the picture on your TV, as we discussed before. I've turned into a bit of a dab hand with these things now!:)
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
29-01-2019, 15:09
Well guys, that's why if you have an amp as part of a system, connected to a TV for watching movies, etc, it's best to use a dedicated home-cinema amp!
I know where you're coming from about levels, but I have no such issues, as my Sony amp allows individual level adjustment of all speakers connected, so if output from the broadcast is a bit low, I can boost levels to compensate:)
I hardly ever need to do that though, and as standard, when watching films on Sky Movies, via my Virgin V6 box, to get a punchy and convincing 'cinematic surround sound', with real depth and scale, I listen between 35-40 on the digital readout on the amp's volume control, which goes up to 70, so things certainly aren't running out of steam...
It also helps if you're using sensitive speakers and an amp with enough 'oomph' to drive them properly, but Sky really should should address the often low-output of their broadcasts, as it can strangle the sound - and also the level of entertainment you get from watching films and TV programmes.
Marco.
My amp is an A/V jobbie, for use with Sky, Blu Ray and Amazon Prime streaming. And although everything is running side-by-side, my home cinema set up and the hifi stuff are completely independent of each other.
My point was that while I can (and do) increase volume on A/V amp when using Sky, (and amp certainly isn't running out of steam), I shouldn't have to.
Have said that, I think I'll dig out the manual to see how to increase level on centre channel, as it sometimes (on speech) seems to be a bit low compared to the other channels and this probably is to do with my crappy hearing.
Marco, how are you connecting the TV to the amp for audio signal?
Pigmy Pony
29-01-2019, 16:05
Good point, my amp takes it from Sky box or other sources.
I have optical out from the telly and into the amplifier's built in DAC and I'm wondering if that is what the issue is. I suspect Marco is using HDMI for both audio and video.
I could take analogue out from the TV instead (I think).
Wish we were back in the good old days of NICAM and SCART-to-phono cables. I swear the sound was better then as well.
Marco, how are you connecting the TV to the amp for audio signal?
HDMI cable from the TV to the amp, mate. Same for video. How, what's the plan?:)
Marco,
My amp is an A/V jobbie, for use with Sky, Blu Ray and Amazon Prime streaming. And although everything is running side-by-side, my home cinema set up and the hifi stuff are completely independent of each other.
My point was that while I can (and do) increase volume on A/V amp when using Sky, (and amp certainly isn't running out of steam), I shouldn't have to.
Have said that, I think I'll dig out the manual to see how to increase level on centre channel, as it sometimes (on speech) seems to be a bit low compared to the other channels and this probably is to do with my crappy hearing.
Ah, no worries... No you defo shouldn't have to do that, I rarely need to, as everything works together as a system well enough for me to achieve adequate listening levels for TV or films. But then I have pretty good hearing.
Hearing and eyesight are my keenest senses, not so much smell, which is a blessing in disguise with my arse!:D
Marco.
HDMI cable from the TV to the amp, mate. Same for video. How, what's the plan?:)
Marco,
Right. Both my AV amps pre-date HDMI so that's a non starter. My favourite DVD player doesn't have it either. This is the trouble with being an early adopter in the home theatre game, the tide goes out and leaves you high and dry.
Lol, well sometimes it pays not to be so resolutely 'old school', and move with the times...;)
But, if you list the gear you're using for the purpose intended, I'll try and work out if there's a better way of connecting it all up!:cool:
Marco.
Pigmy Pony
29-01-2019, 17:00
Ah, no worries... No you defo shouldn't have to do that, I rarely need to, as everything works together as a system well enough for me to achieve adequate listening levels for TV or films. But then I have pretty good hearing.
Hearing and eyesight are my keenest senses, not so much smell, which is a blessing in disguise with my arse!:D
Marco.
Yes, it's Del's nose I feel sorry for :(
What confuses me though (and as you know I'm not easily confused by technology :doh:) is that when you take signal (audio and video) from TV to amp, surely those signals had to come from Sky box (or Virgin) originally, so low output from box, if indeed that's what it is, would still be low when reaching the amp? Mind you, to be honest I don't know what's connected to what back there. My installation method with any of this was pretty much to keep plugging things in and pressing remote control buttons until something happens, then saying "Yep, that's it".
Anita has been threatening for some time to wheedle a Sky Q box from them, as we've been customer's for about 12 years now, and it's time we got something out of them besides shit programmes and constant self-promoting adverts. Only problem is that we don't have Virgin in our area and Sky must know this, so our bargaining power is somewhat reduced. What we need is some incriminating pics of Sky's big cheese out cottaging or something.
Lol, well sometimes it pays not to be so resolutely 'old school', and move with the times...;)
But, if you list the gear you're using for the purpose intended, I'll try and work out if there's a better way of connecting it all up!:cool:
Marco.
Both my AV amps were bought new and were state of the art at the time. Now pretty much worthless. Used to have a Kenwood as well but gave that away.
Only need 2 channels anyway.
Both my AV amps were bought new and were state of the art at the time. Now pretty much worthless. Used to have a Kenwood as well but gave that away.
Only need 2 channels anyway.
And it's not like you did much cooking.
Minstrel SE
05-02-2019, 09:13
Shops that assume Im going to give my email address. I had it again yesterday at Halfords.
The assistant ready to type, blurted out "which email address do you want us to register the guarantee with"
Im fed up of explaining that its nothing personal but I dont generally give out my email address to shops.
I get enough junk mail from online stores without adding the strong possibility of more. For the guarantee I just need a receipt which I was given. It really bugs me. The assistant or the owner dont give their personal emails out so why the hell do shops assume I want that sort of relationship with them
The assistant ready to type, blurted out "which email address do you want us to register the guarantee with"
In sales, we call that a 'close'...;)
Next time you're told that, respond by saying: 'And which address would you like the unwanted Chinese takeaways delivered to?':D
Seriously, just tell them you don't have an email address. Despite the technological world we live in now, I'd envisage that at least 30% of the population still don't own a smart phone or computer, so they have no right being so presumptuous!
Marco.
walpurgis
05-02-2019, 09:51
Shops that assume Im going to give my email address. I had it again yesterday at Halfords.
The assistant ready to type, blurted out "which email address do you want us to register the guarantee with"
Yes. I've had similar. I just say 'you don't need that information'.
If it's a woman, reply by saying: 'And what number should I use to send you the dirty phone calls?' That should shut them up!:eyebrows:
Marco.
Shops that assume Im going to give my email address. I had it again yesterday at Halfords.
The assistant ready to type, blurted out "which email address do you want us to register the guarantee with"
Im fed up of explaining that its nothing personal but I dont generally give out my email address to shops.
I get enough junk mail from online stores without adding the strong possibility of more. For the guarantee I just need a receipt which I was given. It really bugs me. The assistant or the owner dont give their personal emails out so why the hell do shops assume I want that sort of relationship with them
I was stupid enough to fill in my email address when registering a new cooker on-line with Currys. The field was marked with a red asterix as "required." From that time on I have been inundated with junk mail, which I never received before. Grrrrrr!
Maplins always wanted to 'update their records' anytime I bought anything in there. Postcode, address, telephone , e-mail. Right pain in the arse and it clearly did them no good in the end.
Is the only part of any business that is profitable now the data mining?
i used to give them my neighbours:eyebrows:
Next time, give them the email address of someone you don't like.... I could think of a few!;)
Marco.
Next time, give them the email address of someone you don't like.... I could think of a few!;)
Marco.
I liked winding him up as his wife would say what you bought in maplins lately?:D
Firebottle
05-02-2019, 12:41
When asked who my energy supplier was by canvassing staff I replied...
'That's for me to know and you not to'
:eyebrows:
I liked winding him up as his wife would say what you bought in maplins lately?:D
Ha - do the same next time you're in Ann Summers!:D
Marco.
Minstrel SE
05-02-2019, 13:03
Yes but its the blank stare and awkward situation because they know Im right. I know they have been told to get email addresses for marketing purposes or whatever targets they have. They get the hassle in the front line while some manager (probably on 3p an hour more) swans about with KPI sheets
He has worked out that the quickest way to get email addresses is to mention guarantees. There will just be an email check box on his till and he knows its more than cheeky.
Im sick of this micromanagement of young employees to get information or hassle me. I had just left one shop where she was trying to upsell chocolate and prawn crackers at the till. If I had wanted those I would have them in my basket already. Its just all the stuff they cant sell
I feel sorry for the staff. I feel for them as they dont need it and I dont need it :(
I wouldn't feel sorry for the staff. You take a job in retail sales with someone then it's hardly unreasonable for them to expect you to sell stuff.
I just tell people I don't have a mobile phone or e-mail address and as far as Tarbucks is concerned my name is Elvis.
Firebottle
06-02-2019, 09:16
:rfl: Excellent.
I just tell people I don't have a mobile phone or e-mail address and as far as Tarbucks is concerned my name is Elvis.
...except on a Sunday, when you're known as 'Elspeth':
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/921/XaFSzb.jpg
Marco.
good pair of legs.;) ...
..for a bloke:eek:
Would you bang it, then?:D
Marco.
Would you bang it, then?:D
Marco.
i'd bang you if you had a skirt on;)
:lolsign:
Shhh... Don't tell everyone:o
Marco.
Providing an email address is no bother to me; I have a Gmail account that is for junk mail only. What gets me is the requirement for a mobile phone number for online purchases. I have a very basic mobile phone, but rarely use it, and have no idea what the number is. If I guess the number wrong, I get the 'this is not a valid number' auto-response, so I have to hunt down the scrap of paper I wrote the number on.
What gets me is the requirement for a mobile phone number for online purchases. I have a very basic mobile phone, but rarely use it, and have no idea what the number is. If I guess the number wrong, I get the 'this is not a valid number' auto-response...
Where are you shopping for that to happen, Joe? I'm like you, and almost never use my (very basic) mobile phone, but in years of buying stuff online, I've never been asked for my number in that manner:scratch:
Email address, yes, but not mobile number. And if anyone asks for my phone number, I always give the landline, as that's usually where I'll be available.
Marco.
Where are you shopping for that to happen, Joe? I'm like you, and almost never use my (very basic) mobile phone, but in years of buying stuff online, I've never been asked for my number in that manner:scratch:
Email address, yes, but not mobile number.
Marco.
Various places; most recently when buying wine online. In theory it's so they can contact you when the delivery driver's on his/her way. Some sites let you complete the purchase without completing the mobile number section.
Yeah, I simply bypass that or give my landline number, as there's usually that option. They'd have hee-haw chance of getting me on my mobile, as it's usually switched off!
However, I've never been asked to give my mobile number, for the purpose of identifying myself with an online purchase, as you mentioned before. Interesting.
Marco.
Yes. I've had similar. I just say 'you don't need that information'.
Do you wave your hand like a Jedi Knight?
Russ
Of course he does. Doesn't work otherwise.
https://i.redd.it/spm517ppv6t11.jpg
Politicians who start every sentence with 'I/my leader/my party have/has been very clear on this...' Oh, hang on, that's just about all of 'em nowadays!
Pigmy Pony
14-02-2019, 21:40
If I do a google search of a particular item of hifi, Audiogon often come up as having one for sale. Then when I look I see the listing has ended. Always. When are they finally going to change their name to Audio Gone? Why should obsolete shit like this needlessly clutter the searches?
If I do a google search of a particular item of hifi, Audiogon often come up as having one for sale. Then when I look I see the listing has ended. Always. When are they finally going to change their name to Audio Gone? Why should obsolete shit like this needlessly clutter the searches?
Ha Ha! Audio Gone, I see what you did there ( not much gets past me!)
Pigmy Pony
21-02-2019, 11:17
Got a letter earlier this week from British Gas, informing us that due to some overpayment, they are refunding the excess. So included with the letter is a cheque for...67p! I suppose if I walk the 7 mile round trip to pay it into the bank, rather than using the car and burning diesel, I won't lose out on the deal. Or I could post it to the bank, and if I send it second class I will be 13p better off. Need to hurry though - after next month my windfall will be reduced to 12p.
I'm liking today's outfit, btw. Are you sporting the new Pampers 'super-soaker', with built-in wetness indicator? I believe they're all the rage now in adult-baby circles.
If so, it looks 'nicely filled'... Or have you allowed your pubes to become rather too 'unruly' again? Anita bought you those special sheers for Xmas, remember, so she'll be disappointed you haven't pressed them into service:spank:
Marco.
Got a letter earlier this week from British Gas, informing us that due to some overpayment, they are refunding the excess. So included with the letter is a cheque for...67p! I suppose if I walk the 7 mile round trip to pay it into the bank, rather than using the car and burning diesel, I won't lose out on the deal. Or I could post it to the bank, and if I send it second class I will be 13p better off. Need to hurry though - after next month my windfall will be reduced to 12p.
I got a letter from Santander (ex-Abbey National) the other day, asking about a dormant account which they no longer operated. Did I want to transfer the funds to a new account, or close the account and have the balance paid to me via cheque? I thought the money might come in handy, so I chose the latter. A couple of days later, in the the post was a cheque from them - for 40p.
Pigmy Pony
21-02-2019, 12:31
I'm liking today's outfit, btw. Are you sporting the new Pampers 'super-soaker', with built-in wetness indicator? I believe they're all the rage now in adult-baby circles.
If so, it looks 'nicely filled'... Or have you allowed your pubes to become rather too 'unruly' again? Anita bought you those special sheers for Xmas, remember, so she'll be disappointed you haven't pressed them into service:spank:
Marco.
That bulge isn't my pubes, as I've been sporting a 'landing strip' for years - it actually was my muffin top. Although I'll have you know that I have lost 9 (nine!) pounds now with my no-biscuits diet, so it's more like Ritz cracker top.
My friend the donkey still mocks my weight though, and I've told him Eeyore-Eeyore-Eeyore to stop that as it's very hurtful.
Pigmy Pony
21-02-2019, 12:46
I got a letter from Santander (ex-Abbey National) the other day, asking about a dormant account which they no longer operated. Did I want to transfer the funds to a new account, or close the account and have the balance paid to me via cheque? I thought the money might come in handy, so I chose the latter. A couple of days later, in the the post was a cheque from them - for 40p.
Understandable that you chose option b, as Spain's financial woes could have an effect on Santander, although shifty-faced money bunny Martin Lewis (once said on Radio 2 that he doesn't like music!), says that Santander should be fine, plus there is a scheme in place that protects your money up to £85,000.
I would suggest you seek financial advice though, before making any rash decisions regarding where to invest.
That bulge isn't my pubes, as I've been sporting a 'landing strip' for years - it actually was my muffin top. Although I'll have you know that I have lost 9 (nine!) pounds now with my no-biscuits diet, so it's more like Ritz cracker top.
Nice one. I'm glad you've cleared that up. It's a great look though, kind of 'failed Halloween costume meets park pervert'. You should wear that outfit more often.
Marco.
Understandable that you chose option b, as Spain's financial woes could have an effect on Santander, .
Joe's not exactly helping the Spanish balance of payments problem by taking his eight bob out though is he? If they invade Gibraltar we'll know whose to blame.
Pigmy Pony
21-02-2019, 15:24
Joe's not exactly helping the Spanish balance of payments problem by taking his eight bob out though is he? If they invade Gibraltar we'll know whose to blame.
Macacas (is it an anagram?) will keep it safe.
Joe's not exactly helping the Spanish balance of payments problem by taking his eight bob out though is he? If they invade Gibraltar we'll know whose to blame.
You can rest easy. I forgot to pay in the cheque, and my local bank closed its doors a month or so back, so it'll stay unwanked.
I still get statements from a share management company, long after I transferred all my investments to another company.
The sums 'remaining' are a few tens of pence earning a few pence in interest a year. The postage costs more than the value of the residual shares.
My partner emptied one of her bank accounts, transferring the monies to another account. However she didn't actually close the account, so she now receives a regular bank statement showing a bank balance of £0.01. The cost of postage is considerably more than the value of the bank balance.
Minstrel SE
23-02-2019, 14:15
We watched a crown post office shut down...oh it will be ok they said and customer service will not suffer.( i doubted that and all the PO staff being made redundant doubted that) well lets be honest we knew it was an asset stripping stitch up.
There was even a whitewash enquiry to show faux concern for the community.
What do we get! One clerk on a Saturday morning in WH Smiths. One clerk, three empty positions and a queue out of the door.
Lied to again FFS as we watch our standards of service disappear!
20 years ago there used to be a big post office just down the road from me. Huge place, about ten serving windows. Only 3 would ever be open of course and there would be huge lines at each one, 15 or 20 people in each. Anytime you went in, even a weekday morning. Then they moved to a smaller building a hundred yards away. Then it moved again and now it's just a counter at the back of a convenience store. If you want to see how slow service can be, how slowly someone can move but still be moving, I'd recommend a visit.
Minstrel SE
23-02-2019, 21:33
Yeah there used to be about 10 serving windows but they had enough of them open. Even if it was down to four the queue would move enough to not start ripping your hair out.
Now all it takes is someone applying for a passport and I start losing the will to live. A town of 50,000 people reduced to a small setup in WH smiths. everyone walking in was saying out loud..." what only one person on"
I feel WH Smiths they would be in serious trouble if they didnt have the post office counter in there. I bought a metal pencil sharpener from them about three years ago
To be fair when you get to the counter the service is very good...its just getting there. Its funny because Im miserable as hell in the queue then very polite when I get to the clerk. (well I am leaving my parcels...know what I mean but I should be complaining.
The post office rely on ebay sales for its very survival so I should get priority treatment :) A coffee and a red carpet would be a start :D.
They could be called Acme carriers or Daves delivery as its all been privatised really.
I can't say I've noticed that the standard of service has got worse. Clearly there are a lot less people using it than there was 20 years ago or the queue would be out the shop and down the road. No-one sends letter any more, My postie has said to me that if it wasn't for junk mail and bills he'd be out of a job. Only a matter of time before they dry up too I think.
There's one particular girl in our post office who only has 2 speeds: dead slow and stop. No matter how many people are waiting she moves in slow motion. Went in one time and there were two of them on the counter which is very rare. Queue ran the length of the shop. One was dealing with something that was taking forever, possibly a passport, but clearly the customer was a moron and dragging it out longer than necessary, leaving dead slow to handle the rest of the queue. Then, with about ten people still waiting, she puts out her 'closed' sign, informs the girl dealing with the idiot that she is now on her lunch, and off she goes.
If that had been me (or anyone deserving of a job) I'd have sorted out the queue and then taken my lunch. Clearly that thought had not crossed her mind. Yet she will no doubt expect people to feel sorry for her when the place closes entirely and she is made redundant.
And you just stand there and take it? You're too soft, mate. On the rare occasions I mix with the 'great unwashed' (general public), and find myself in situations like that [I abhor queues with a passion], I simply don't put up with shoddy service:nono:
It's not the first time I've been at my local Co-op (which has a Post Office built in), and stood in a large queue, simply to buy something like a pint of milk, where one member of staff is behind the till, struggling to serve everyone, whilst there are others in view, standing gabbing to each other or stacking shelves, seemingly oblivious of said queue, and I've told them to get off their arses and serve people, and continue their conversations later!!
They soon get the message and shift;)
Marco [simply doesn't put up with bullshit].
Lol what are you going to do? Force them back to work at gunpoint?
I just accept that the world at large is lazy and incompetent. It can work to your advantage sometimes, too.
Hehe... Well, I have a low-tolerance threshold for lazy incompetents. Suitably embarrassing them in public, I find, often awakes them from their self-imposed stupor!;)
I've done it in supermarkets, too... You know how it is: standing in a queue, listening to female checkout staff cooing over someone's brat and/or engaging customers in some other form of banal chitchat, rabbiting away, whilst scanning stuff through at a snail's pace...:doh::steam:
Just say 'no'....:nono:
That's one of the reasons why we shop at Aldi and Lidl, as their checkout staff are trained to get a riddle on!!
Marco.
There's a cartoon on the wall in our Post Office, showing a long queue, with notices at various points along the queue, such as 'Please sigh here', and 'You may tut loudly at this point'.
There's usually three people on; the manager, who knows everything, his wife, who's also very good, and another woman, whom it's best to avoid if your transaction involves anything more complicated than buying a stamp. Being retired, I can pootle along whenever the mood takes me, and just leave it if the queue is too long/slow-moving.
I only ever have to go in if I'm shipping some kit to someone, which is pretty rare.
I'm semi-retired, Joe, so have little shortage of time either, but I've got better places to "pootle" around than inside shops (or in this case Post Offices). Fortunately, POs are somewhere I rarely need to frequent.
Marco.
I only ever have to go in if I'm shipping some kit to someone, which is pretty rare.
Same here. It's always worse on Monday mornings, when all the old grans are collecting their pensions:rolleyes:
Marco.
I only ever have to go in if I'm shipping some kit to someone, which is pretty rare.
I'm often in there. My wife is the Production Editor (and just about everything other than the Editor) for a scholarly journal and I'm often deputed to post off back issues. Twice a year there's several dozen to send to the USA and other destinations. I'm then the annoying bloke who holds up the queue for half an hour or so.
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